College Years: Story and Some Tips

Sunday, February 22, 2015

I rarely (or never) talked about my college years in this blog. It was almost two years since I've graduated, everything was changed ever since. The transition being a college student into an adult-life, seriously has driven me crazy. Here some lessons and tips (and pictures!) that I would like to share to with you all about my college years.

Yeah this is me on my first year in college. Literally, a freshman!

1. Take chances and try everything new.
Since you are new in a world called college, you have to be brave to take any chances and try everything new. You will experience almost EVERYTHING in your college years. You might be surprise or nervous at the first time, but the time when you deal with those new things, you got permission to proud of yourself. During my college years, I've experienced so many things. One of most favorite experience, when I got chance to become a volunteer for an huge event, Asian Games. No regret at all.

My experience in volunteering on a huge event, Asian Games 2010. (above) As a Media Partner on Asian Para Games, (bottom) As a City Volunteer on Asian Games


2. Dealing with homesickness. 
This is it, the most number one issue that every college student (especially when you have to leave your family and home to another country) have to deal with. I was dealing with my homesickness almost for the first three months. The first month was the crazy part. I was so depressed, I felt so lonely, I almost cried (literally) in the bathroom, every morning before class. And I remembered one day, I got phone call from my dad. That day was a first weekend and I planned to go shopping with friends. Later I know my dad called me to tell me that my dear grandpa has passed away. I was completely sad and lost. The time when I've started to adapt this new life, the heartbreaking news came to me. But hey, it was not a bad life, it was just a bad day and I had to move on. The only thing that helps me to deal with homesickness, it was only get busy. Take a project, join school activities, make new friends, eat more good food, those things help you to cure your homesickness. We live in a digital world, internet helps to keep contact to our family members.


3. Go to class, pay attention, make a note, don't play your phone, drink coffee. 
I know, kids, especially when it comes to winter days, the weather makes us not to leave our comfy bed instead going to class. But seriously, you need to go to class. Though my college fees was free because it was paid by the scholarship, but my parents sent me here for study and they sent me money every month, so I think I was not gonna waste that. And when you're in class, pay attention to your teacher, make a note because trust me you will need that in final exams. Don't play with your phone, if you feel tired and your eyes can't take it anymore, drink coffee (or hot tea) instead. Study said coffee helps better when we're sleepy but have something to be done than you fell asleep in the class.

ps: yes, I skipped my class once... no, twice.

4. Find a community.
It can be everything. Mostly you can find it in your own college department, as for myself I found my community in a church. A community is really important. Live your life alone, far from your family is hard. A right community helps you to grow up and (surprisingly), some people in it can bring out the best of yourself. I can say that I've learned so many things in my community. Half of my college life was fulfilled from this community. So let's yourself out, blend with the others and learn from it. You never regret it, and it might become your favorite part of your college life (:


5. Travel more.
I should never give this advice, because the only thing that I feel so regret during college is traveling. Four years in China I only got chance to visit some places around Guangdong province: Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and I also got chance to travel in Beijing (and I just realized I don't have any pictures from the trip haha). My dear friend, Sastika, has traveled a lot to some places in China and I think you should learn from her. 

 Macau, 2010

Hong Kong, 2011

6. My degree doesn't matter.
I know some people go to college and study a major based on their own choice. That's really good. As for me, I graduated with education degree (my major was Chinese Language Education). My degree obviously leads me to a job you might know as a teacher. It was tricky at the first time, as I mentioned it before this major is a major that I've dreamt about. What I'm doing right now it's really not related to my education degree (though I give a private tutor of Chinese language, just because I don't wanna to lose my Mandarin accent and the massive vocabulary... and also I still have some loves for its culture and history). At the end, I never regret went to education school, because I've learned so much and somehow it helps me in what I'm doing now. 

7. Find something you're good in and sharpen it.
Honestly guys, I found the thing that God wants me to do is during college years. Everyone of us has own desires and passion. When someone follows his passion, he turns out to another (best) version of himself. What do you love; teaching, business, art, singing, sharpen it. One of my favorite advice from my dad is, don't stop create from what you love. Even Louis Vuitton never stop being great since he decided to leave his home, walked  (by foot!) to Paris, and start building his dreams. That time he was only 16. Keep doing what you love and what you believe in, create and sharpen it.  

8. Enjoy your college years.
Last but no least, enjoy your college years. I can see my difference after graduated, good difference of course. You don't want to miss any single moments. Embrace it, learn from it. It might be tough, but later you realize it's actually worth it.



College years are interesting. I was amazed how college years has shaped me to become another (better) person. When I was looking back to those years, it feel great and knowing that God never leave me till now, it's even better.  

Every college experiences are different. Don't be hesistated to share yours here, I would like to hear. Stay awesome!

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